Editing AzivatheAzorean (section)

==Backstory==

Aziva is a young but seasoned adventurer, about 25 years old, from the Azores, a Phoenician colony that developed into a female-dominated matriarchal republic.  Tall, beautiful, and possessing a stunning physique and amazing hair that even the goddesses may envy.  Aziva has a variety of masks in different shapes but all in the same green, white, and red colors, and is never seen without one.

When young Azorean ladies set off on their very first sea voyage, they visit the Temple of Astarte to seek the goddess's blessing.  By tradition, they also are invited to attempt to draw "The Vigor of Astarte," a shining masterwork xiphos, from its receptacle, a recessed sculpture that resembles a flower.  (The presence of the goddess's "vigor" penetrating such a stone has almost universally been interpreted among Azoreans as Astarte's endorsement of Sapphic love.)  By the time of Aziva's blessing, many hundreds of Azorean women had tried and failed to extract it, but the Vigor of Astarte slid out easily for her, at the first tug.  An auspicious omen, indeed!

Aziva has been a trusted member of several crews, but now, accompanied by her trusted Azorean friend Elissa the Bard, is looking forward to leading her first expedition.